World of Warcraft Classic Plus: The Future of Azeroth Takes Shape

Blizzard’s World of Warcraft Classic has kept nostalgia alive for years, but the community’s long-standing dream of a Classic Plus experience—a reimagined version of the original game with fresh content—appears closer than ever. With Season of Discovery winding down after a year and a half of updates, Blizzard is shifting focus to a new project set in the original Azeroth. A recent leaked survey has sparked excitement, hinting at ambitious features like player housing, new classes, and revamped PvP. Here’s what we know about World of Warcraft Classic Plus and what fans can expect.

The End of Season of Discovery and the Rise of Classic Plus

Blizzard announced in May 2025 that Season of Discovery, the experimental mode that added runes, new quests, and original content like the Scarlet Enclave raid, will no longer receive new updates. Game producer Josh “Aggrend” Greenfield confirmed the team is now focusing on a “next major project” for WoW Classic, with plans to create a more permanent experience inspired by Season of Discovery’s success. The servers will remain active, similar to WoW Classic Era, allowing players to continue enjoying the content for months or years to come.

Posts on X and community discussions suggest this project is Classic Plus, an evolution of the original game that builds on the 2004-2006 era with new zones, mechanics, and features, much like Old School RuneScape’s approach to parallel updates. Fans see Season of Discovery as a testing ground for Classic Plus, with its innovative runes and original raids paving the way for a bolder vision.

Leaked Survey Fuels Speculation

A Blizzard survey circulating in early June 2025, shared by fans on platforms like Reddit, has ignited speculation about Classic Plus. The survey reportedly asks players about potential features, including player housing, duel arenas, new races like High Elves, and even graphical improvements. Other proposed additions include new classes, reworked PvP systems, and “perks” to enhance gameplay. While Blizzard hasn’t confirmed these details, the survey suggests the team is exploring a significant overhaul to keep the classic experience fresh yet true to its roots.

Community reactions on X highlight enthusiasm for these ideas, with some calling Classic Plus a “revolution” or even a “WoW 2” in spirit. Players hope for content like new zones (e.g., Mount Hyjal or Gilneas, inspired by private servers like Turtle WoW) and expanded class options, potentially lifting race/class restrictions. However, some fans urge caution, noting that Blizzard’s history with ambitious projects warrants tempered expectations.

Lessons from Season of Discovery

Season of Discovery introduced groundbreaking changes to WoW Classic, such as class-altering runes, new dungeons like Karazhan Crypts, and the Scarlet Enclave raid, which allowed players to reforge the legendary Ashbringer. These additions proved Blizzard could blend nostalgia with innovation, a blueprint for Classic Plus. The mode’s success, described by Greenfield as a “huge risk that paid off,” showed strong player demand for fresh content in the classic framework.

However, Season of Discovery wasn’t flawless. The recent patch 11.1.5 drew criticism for bugs, with game director Ion Hazzikostas admitting it fell short of player expectations. Blizzard’s focus on learning from these missteps suggests Classic Plus will aim for a more polished launch.

What Could Classic Plus Look Like?

While Blizzard remains tight-lipped, fan speculation and the leaked survey offer clues. Player housing, a long-requested feature, could let players customize homes in Azeroth, similar to systems planned for WoW: Midnight. New races like High Elves or Goblins, inspired by private servers, might expand character creation. A redesigned PvP system with duel arenas could refresh competitive play, while new classes or perks might build on Season of Discovery’s rune system. Graphical updates, like those teased in the survey, could modernize Azeroth’s visuals without losing its classic charm.

Fans also hope for new zones and quests, drawing from cut content like Mount Hyjal or entirely original areas. The community wants Classic Plus to retain the grind-heavy, immersive feel of vanilla WoW, with meaningful progression and social gameplay, unlike the streamlined modern version.

Challenges and Timeline

Blizzard’s ambitious plans face hurdles. The team is juggling multiple projects, including Mists of Pandaria Classic (set for July 21, 2025) and The War Within’s ongoing updates, which could delay Classic Plus. Posts on X suggest a reveal might not come until late 2025, possibly at The Game Awards or a 2026 Blizzard event, with a release potentially in 2027. Technical challenges, like ensuring addon compatibility and server stability, also loom, especially after issues with Season of Discovery’s final phase.

Despite these challenges, Blizzard’s commitment to WoW Classic remains strong. The 20th Anniversary Edition and upcoming Mists of Pandaria Classic show continued investment in nostalgic experiences, giving hope that Classic Plus will deliver.

Community Hopes and the Road Ahead

The WoW Classic community is buzzing with excitement for Classic Plus, with many seeing it as the “true WoW 2” they’ve dreamed of. Fans want a balance of new content and the classic grind, with features like housing and new races enhancing Azeroth’s timeless appeal. However, some worry Blizzard might over-modernize the experience, diluting what made vanilla WoW special.

As Blizzard moves forward, expect more surveys and teasers to gauge player interest. Whether Classic Plus becomes a full-fledged reimagining or a modest evolution, it’s clear Azeroth’s classic era has a bright future. What features are you hoping for in Classic Plus? Share your thoughts as we await Blizzard’s next big reveal!